Valve stem



Nm. 27, M45. o. w. HosmNG VALVE STEM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 19 1941 Fflgf Mg. o@ Mgg. 7m

Nov. 27, 1945. o. w. HQsmNG @390,925

VALVE STEM Filed March 19 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HNVENTOR Patented Nov. 27, 12945 UNITED STATES ,y PATENT oFFlcE Oakley hanroe, N. Y. I

The present invention relates to rubber valve stems for infiating air containers such as'the inner tubes of motor vehicle tires.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a valve stem having a resilient body and a rigid' valve core-receiving insert embedded therein,

having coaligned bores forming a passage through vide valve stems of the aforesaid type having' means for preventing the escape of air under pressure fromthe passage through the stem along'the contiguous surfaces of the insert and rubber,to the exterior of the stem without relying upon adherence of the rubberto the insert; to reenforce the rubber against ballooning, and against distention of the rubber walls of the passage through the stem when they cooperate with portions of the valve mechanism; and to anchor the -insert in the stem in such a manner that it is secured against blowing out of the tip of the rubber body under the influence of the stem.

It has been proposed heretofore to prevent the escape of air between contiguous surfaces of the rubber and insert by adhering the rubber to the insert, but this requires special selection of materials and special the insert;

It has also been proposed, in cases where a rubber and metal junction is exposed to compressed 40- air, to extend the rubber interiorly of the insert so that the compressed air holds the rubber against the insert to seal the contacting surfaces against escape of air between them, but the ex'- tent of the contiguous sealing surfaces heretofore contemplated was generally so small that the seal was ineifective.

of compressed air inthe bore Y preparation of the surface of,

According to the-present invention, this problem is solved by extending the rubber internally of the insert and rendering the path around the insert between contacting surfaces of the interiing an insert vhaving a relatively long interior surface covered by the interiorly lying rubber which extends substantially the entire length of that portion of the stem bore which is under air pres- In order to reenforce portions of the rubber walls of the stem bore which c00perate with portions of a valve core mechanism mounted therein, the insert is extended inwardly from the y,tip of the rubber body portion almost to its base.

Means interlocking the rubber of the stem with the insert are provided to prevent the latter from blowing out of the stem.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved valve stem of the aforesaid -ly intov the insert for substantially the'entlre length of that portion of the bore which is under pressure. By tnis means, widened portions of the passage through the stem which are normally provided to permit sufficient clearance lfor thev flow of air past inwardly protruding portions of a valve core mechamsm, as well as constrictions or other alterations in the wall of the passage adapted to cooperate with portions of such mechanism are formed by molding in the rubber itself, thus avoiding relatively expensive boring and counterboring operations which would be necesy sary if 'they were formed in the material of the insert. 4

As a result, the embedded portion of the insert or drawing processes.

tip portion thereof or separately formed and then assembled with the tip portion.

With reference to the process for making a valve stem according to the invention by a molding process. it is an object to provide means for forming a bore through the rubber portion of the stem. requiring no pilot pins in the mold, permitting the use of rubber slugs having no apertures therein, and insuring that the passage through the stem will not be blocked by penetration of rubber into its-bore; the use of the said viding a core pin which is separately assembled with an insert, especially of the aforesaid preferred form -of valve stem, before molding the rubber around it; forming a solid slug of un- I cured rubber. and adhering it.to the assembled insert and core pin; placing the resulting assembly in a suitable mold; molding and vulcanizing the rubber under heat and pressure; and finally removing the core pin from the stem after the mold contents have been removed from the mold and allowed to cool. v

Three specc embodiments of the valve stem of the invention, and also the process for making the first twomodications are hereinafter described, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a full-size plan view of the inished valve stem of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the valve stem of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged central vertical crosssection of a valve stem according to the present invention, including a valve core of the conventional type assembled therewith.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central vertical crosssection of the metal insert of the valve stem of Fig'. 1, prior to molding oi the rubber portion thereof, and assembled with a core pin for forming a bore in the molded stem.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged central vertical crosssection of a mold for forming a valve stem of the present invention showing the relative positions external threads 20 to cooperate with the threads II and a conical portion or gasket 2l fitting the conical seat I8 in air-tight relation. A valve pin 22 extends through an axial passage in said barrel and carries a valve closure 23 at its lower end for sealing the axial passage against eiilux of air. The valve core may also include resilient means such as a compression spring 24 for yieldingly urging the valve closuretagainst the end of the axial passage. The spring 24 is retained on pin 22 by means of an abutment member 24a slidably carried on the pin at its lower end, and retained thereon by an enlargement 22a.

Below, or inwardly of, the conical seat I8, the passage through insert II is widened to'form an inwardLv facing shoulder 25, and the rubber of the body portion I0 of the stem extends internally of said insert from its lower end or base substantially to said shoulder.

The inner portion ofthe insert I I which is surrounded both internally and externally with the rubber of the body I0 extends, according to the invention, alnost to the base of the body. The inner portion o! the insert is skirt-like in shape, and its inner end may be of greater diameter than the portion adjacent its shoulder 25, whereby its engagement with the rubber of the body r portion is rendered more effective to prevent ejecof the metal insert, rubber, and core pin during the molding process.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged central vertical crossy shown in side elevation and the lower portion in central vertical cross-section.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged central vertical crosssection of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section of the valve stem of Fig. 9 along the line Ill- IIL Fig. 11 shows a valve for cooperating with thc integral seat.

The valve stem as' illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, constituting 4one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, comprises a rubber body portion I0 and a rigid insert II',v preferably of metal, embedded in the rubber, said stem having a passage I2 extending from its base lto its tip through the rubber and metal portions thereof.

The rubber body portion comprises a base ilange I3 for securing the valve stem into an' air container, and a stem portion I4 extending outwardly from the flange.

The rigid insert ll comprises a tubular metal member, part of which protrudes from the tip of the rubber body I0. The protruding portion thereof may be provided with external threads I5. as shown, for engaging a cap or similarly threaded elements. and is preferably provided tion of the insert from the rubber by air under pressure within the bore of the stem, and whereby the inclusion of a greater thickness of interiorly lying rubber is made possible, a feature which is sometimes desirable, for instance, to aiord increased yielding properties in the thickened portions of the rubber walls of the passage through the stem adjacent its base. Furthermore, in order to provide means for positively anchoring insert II in the rubber body I0, the skirt of the insert may be provided with a series of apertures 26 (see Fig. 4) through 'which the rubber o! the body portion extends to form an interlock with the insert, retaining it against blowing out of the tip of the rubber body under the influence of air under pressure in the bore of the stem.

As indicated in the drawings, the passage I2 below shoulder 25 extends through the rubber Lying interiorly of insert II and through the rubber base flange I3. When the stem is used with a valve core of the conventional type as shown in Fig. 3, passage I2 is sealed above shoulder 25 by engagement of the conical gasket 2I on the barrel ofthe valve core with conical seat I8 Thus the rubber forming the walls of the passage below shoulder 25 is subjected to the pressure oi the compressed air in the inated air container .tn which the stem is attached and is urged radially outward thereby against the contiguous interior surface of insert II. Because of the relatively long continuous surface of the insert between shoulder 25 and apertures 26 which is contiguous to the interiorly lying rubber. this effectively prevents the escape of air from the bore of the stem which might otherwise occur by creeping of the air around the surface of insert I I from the junction of the rubber and metal below shoulder 25 to the exterior rubber metaljunctlon at ange I6.

Moreover, since the embedded portion of incated at 21, the diameter of the passage being sufficient at this pointto provide ample clearance for passage of air past inwardly protruding portions of the valve core mechanism. 1nwardly of cylindrical portion 21, the walls of the passage may be constructed cylindrically as indicated at 28, but of smaller diameter than that of portion 21 since the spring 24 of the conventional valve core which extends into the portion 28 of the passage aifords sufficient clearance for passage of air. Y

Preferably, the cylindrical portion 28 terminates in an outwardly facing annular shoulder 29 formed in the rubber wall,`said shoulder providing a support for the abutment member 23a and the compression spring 24 of the valve core mechanism. The lower end of insert I I surrounds said shoulder and extends above and below the same, thus reenforcing it against 'distentlon which might cause it to give way and release the abutment member 24a and the spring 24 supported thereby. D

Below shoulder 29, the passage I2 fis constricted as indicated at 29a, and may be widened to the base of the rubber ilange I3 presenting an inwardly faced conical rubber valve seat 30 forcooperating with special types of valve cores, which may also be used with the' specically described valve stem, including a valve pin provided with a closure adapted to cooperate with an integral rubber valve seat within the bore of a valve stem. Such a valve core isA disclosed in my previous application Serial No. 107,832 iiled Uctober 21, 1936 which has since matured into complicated. kSince these cylindrical parts ofthe` walls of the passage I2 are of rubber, they may be formed by relatively simple molding processes and the entire skirt portion may be formed by drawing or spinning.

A modification of the valve stem of Figures 1 to 5 is illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, having substantially the same advantages as the above described valve stem, but including a modied iorm of insert which lends itself even more readily to economical manufacture.

In this form of the invention, the insert 3i comprises two metal parts, namely, a. tip member 32 and a skirt member'33. The tip` member 32 includes external threads I5a, an external annular ange ISa, internal threads Ila, a. conical seat 18a and an interior inwardly faced shoulder 25a, shown as a conical surface, corre-4 sponding to the similarelements of structure of insert II. Below external flange Isa. 'an annular groove 34 is formed.' preferably having a V-shaped notch-like cross-section as shown, with the upper side substantially normal to the axis of the insert and the lower Wall forming an angle o! about 45 therewith. Below the groove 3l, the tip member is provided with a short cylindrical extension 35. The interior surface 36 of the cylindrical extension below the conical shoulder 25a is also substantially cylindrical, having a diameter comparable with that of the skirt portion of insert II below shoulder 25.

The skirt member '33 is simply a length of metal tubing comprising,o near its lower end, a series of apertures 26a serving the same purpose as apertures 26 of inserti I, and having an internal diameter such that it is adapted to slide telescopically over cylindrical extension'35. Preferably, external flange IBa, is of greater diameter than the bore of skirt member 33 to provide an abut- 40 ment limiting the extent to which the latter United States Patent No. 2,232,530, granted February 18, 1941, and also in my copending application serial No. 379,055 med February 15, 1941,

which has since matured into United States Paltent No. 2,344,932, granted March 2l, 1944, and which isa division of the said previous application,

The core. as shown in Fig. 11 has a. threaded sleeve 20a adapted to be threaded into the end of the insert. The sleeve carries a spring pressed pin Zia having a valve head on the end thereof. The upper surface of the valveengages the tapered surface 35 of the bore and cooperates therewith to prevent passage of air from the tire orother device.l

The lower end of insert II preferably extends above and below said integral rubber valve seat, and reenfoices it against such distention as would the exterior of insert 3l to the annular flangepermit Jthe blowing out of a special valve core of t the insert; and if apart of the narrower cylindrical portion 28 were alsoef metal, the counterboring'operation would be even more seriously member may slide over member 32, whereby relative positioning'of the two members in assembling the insert is facilitated.

Member 33 is assembled with member 32 by sliding it over extension 35 until itsendabuts 'flange Ia. The abutting end of the skirt is rolled into groove 34 as indicated at 31, thus securing the two members together against longitudinal separation, while the telescopically engaged sur-' faces of the two members hold them in mutual alignment. In order to render the joint between the two 'members airtight, member 33 may be sweated onto member 32 in the manner well known in the art.

The rubber body IIla'of the valve stem of Fig. 6 isr substantially identical with the rubbery body I0 insofar as its external shape and internal bore are concerned and embeds the assembled insert 3| in the same manner Vas body ill embeds insert I I. The rubber of the stem portion I 4a covers i611, and extends interiorly of said insert to conical shoulder 25a. The lower end of the skirt member 33 extends almost, to the base of body .Illa and the rubber of the body portion-is interlocked therewith by extension through apertures 26a, to retain the insert against blowingl f out. The skirt member 33 together with cylindrical extension 35 reeniorces the interiorly lying rubber to avoid ballooning of the stern', as well as ,undesirable distention of the inte'gral rubber shoulder 29a or valve seat 30a. l

Air under pressure within the boreof the valve stem forces the interiorly lying rubber against the internal walls of tip member 32, and also against the internal walls of skirt member 33,

effectively sealing the possible path of egress for not as reliable as that obtained by integrally joining the two members in an airtight manner whereby substantially the full length of the skirt member 33 is available as a sealing surface. r

A third embodiment of the invention possess-A ing certain of the advantageous characteristics of the valve stems of Figs. 1 to 8, is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. In this construction, a rigid tubular metal insert also extends into the tip of a rubber body 1| having a base flange 12 and a stem portion 13, saidinsert extending almost to the base of the .rubber body. A passage 14 extends through the rubber body and the metal insert from the base to the tip of the stem.

The insert comprises an outer or tip member.

15 and an inner embedded member 16, the former having internal threads 11 extending inwardly from its tip and an internal conical seat 18 inwardly of the threads 11 for receiving and retaining a valve core 94 of the conventional type similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3.- External threads 19 adiacent the tip are also provided for engaging Athreaded means, such as a cap or an air chuck and inwardly thereof a ferrule shaped ilange 80 extends toward the base of the stem.

cent its lower end, and annular ribs 85 on its interior walls. A short annular flange 86 of somewhat reduced diameter may also depend from the. lower end of tubular portion 8l interiorly of said skirt.

The innr insert member 16 is a tubular piecev of metal having a counterbore 8.1 terminating at a shoulder 88, the counterbore portion being adapted to slide telescopically over the outer cylindrical surface of the skirt 83 until the end of the latter abuts the shoulder 88. The walls of the counterbore are provided with apertures 39 adapted to register with apertures 84 in the skirt.

when the members are telescopically engaged.

Adjacent its lower end, the said member is pro-- vided with axially elongated apertures 90.

The rubber of the body is molded around the rubber around the insert. A As shown in Fig. 4, core pin 4I! comprises two assembled insert members, the tip of stem portion and retaining the outer members 15 against blowing out of the stem under the influence of compressed air in the bore of the stem, and also member 18 for anchoring this member in the rubber. Below iiange 86, passage ,14 extends through the rubber of the body and is constricted as shown at 9|, forming a rubber shoulder 82 facing the tip of the stem and adapted to support abutment member 24a and spring 24 above said conventional valve core and also forming a conical rubber valveseat 93 facing the base of the stem and adapted to cooperate with the valve closure of a special type valve core above referred to and disclosed in my previous appli' cation, Serial No, 107,832, now Patent No. 2,232,- 530.

Since the rigid insert members surround substantially the entire length of the rubber forming the walls of the passage 14 through the stem the rubber of the stem is rigidly reenforced againstl ballooning, preventing the accompanying distention ofthe constrictionA 9| which would vrender shoulder 92 inoperative to support spring 24, or valve seat 93 inoperative to cooperate with a valve closure of the aforesaid special type valve core.

Likewise, -since the insert members 15 and 16 surround the constriction 9| and extendabove and below said constriction, the shoulder 92 and valve seat 93 are reenforced against yielding to the pressure of spring 24 or the air pressure tending to force the special type valve closure through the constriction. f .1 When a conventional type valve core is used the compressed air within the bore of the stem urges the interiorly lyingl rubber outward, sealing the contact between the interiorly lying rubber and the corrugated inner surface of skirt 83 against escape of air between the said surfaces.

The present invention also relates to an improved method for molding the above-described preferred valve stems of Figs. l to 8 inclusive, this method being illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings as applied for use in the case of insert Il, but similarly applicable in the case of insert 3|.

According to the invention, the improved molding method comprises first assembling the rigid insert with a'core pin, adapted during a subsequent molding operation to seal the passage through the valve stem at shoulder 25 or 25a against ilow of rubber, and having a portion adapted to form a passage inwardly of said shoulder through the rubber to the base of the stem. The core pin thus performs the function ordinarily effected by means of pilot pins extending into the bore of a metal insert from one or both ends oi a molding die during the molding of separable parts adapted to be `secured together by draft means. The tip portion 4l of the core pin comprises a cylindrical member having a knurled handle 42, an annular iiange 43 adapted t0 engage the tip of insert I l and a boss 44, adapted to protrude into the tip of insert Il, and having an internally threaded socket 45 at its lower e'nd. From the well of the socket, a bore 46 extends axially to the end of the knurled handle.

The core-forming member 41 of the core pin comprises la. terminal stem 48 adapted to slide 7 Y telescopically into the bore 46, and adjacent 0 z engaging the threads of socket 45. A cylindrical portion 50 extending inward from the threads is thereto, a threaded portion 43 'is provided for adapted to fit the aperture of insert -li between shoulder 25 and conical seat I8.

through apertures l0 at the lower end of inner 75 The mid-portion Il of member 41 is also cylinand to form a seal therewith against the flow of rubber past this junction during molding.

Beyond the mid-portion I, member 41 includes alcy-lindrical extension 53 adapted to form the cylindrical walls 28 of passage I2 and terminating in a shoulder 54 which forms the outwardly faced shoulder 29 in the said passage. Below shoulder 54, a reduced cylindrical portion 54a is provided to form the constriction 29a, and a Vconical sur face 55 is provided to form the integral rubber valve seat 30 in the passage I2, member 41 terminatingin a cylindrical portion 5B adapted to form the lower end of passage I2. The end surface 56a of member 41 is preferably constructed to be ush with the lower surface of the rubber base ilange I3.

The core pin 40 is assembled with .insert II by inserting core-forming member 41 into the lower end of the'insert, and the tip member 4I into the tip of the insert, and then screwing threaded socket 45 over the threaded portion 49 to draw the two parts together until flange 43 is clamped against the tip of the insert and shoulder 52 is clamped against shoulder 25 to form a seal against the flow of plastic rubber past this point. Cooperation of the cylindrical portion 50 with the aperture in insert II above shoulder 25 and of stem 48 with the bore 44Ii of tip member 4I serves to center the corepin in the insert.

'Ihe mold for forming the rubber valve stem of the invention comprises an upper die 51 having a fiat surface 58 for molding the base of flange I3 merely pressing the latter into the surface of the slug. The resulting assembly is inverted and dropped into the cavity -6I of die 60 which is rounding the core-forming member 41 and the of the rubber body I0, and a lower die 60 having a mold cavity 6I, the walls o f which conform to the exterior shape of the rubber stem'portion I4 as well as the upper surface of flange I3. p

The inner end of the cavity 6I preferably includes a shoulder 62 for engaging annular flange I6 on the insert I I to seal the mold cavity against egress of rubber at this point. An extension 53 of the said cavity provides space for the tip of insert I I. and for the handle 42 of the core member 4U. 'Ihe extension 63 is preferably open at its-lower end to permit access to the knuled y handle 42 of core pin 40 so that the latter may be pushed upward to eject the valve stem fromthe mold after the molding operation is complete.

Unoured rubber for forming the body portion I0 .of the valve stem may be provided in the form of solid rubber slugs which'are relatively simple to preform by extrusionwhile avoiding overheating which would tend to partly vulcanize the rubber.

In other valve stem molding processes where pilot pins are used, it is generally necessary to provide slugs of crude rubber having apertures therein in order to avoid rubber entering the bore of the stem during the closing'ofthe mold before the pilot pins can seal the passage against inilux of the rubber. The extrusionof apertured rubber slugs is relatively slower than solid slugs and oftenV results in deleterious overheating of the rubber. 'The avoidance of this disadvantage is made possible in the present invention by'the use of a core pin prea'ssembled with the metal insert instead of pilot pins, to form the rubber bore in the stem.

After the core pin 4I) is assembled with the metal insert II, lan imperforate rubber slug is adhered to the core pin 45, for instance, by

skirt portion of insert II; The fiat-surfaced end 56a of member 4l preferably rests against the surface of theupper molding die 51. Excess rub-l ber is forced into the usual flash groove 64 surrounding the mold cavity.

The contents of the mold is heated sumciently to vulcanize the rubber. The mold is then opened and the core removed, for instance, by pushing upward against the endofvthe core pin tip member 4 I.

Tip member 4I is then unscrewed from the core-forming member 41 and the latter pushed out through the lower end of the valve stem. I'he rubber shoulder 29 and valve seat 30 yield suiciently to permit removal of the core-forming member. This operation' insures opening of the passage I2 throughout the base of the stem even if a ilash of rubber has covered the end 56a of member 41 during molding. Thus, the present molding method insures the formation of the through passage in the valve stem, and effectively removes rubber which might tend to obstruct said passage. 1

In molding the valve stem of Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, the same procedure is followed. The same mold and substantially the same core pin may be used, the latter diering from core pin 40, if desired, only in the construction of shoulder 52 of a conical shape adapted' to fit conical shoulder 25a rather than shoulder 25. p

The above described molding processl is highly advantageous for mass production. Economy is 'eected in the manufacture of the metal insert, not only in thecase 'of the insert of Figs. 1 to 5, but even more so in the case of the insert shown iin Fig. 6. Economy in time and eilort is also or distributing racks for the rubber and metaly respectively. According to the present invention) only one positioning rack is necessary to place the structures in the mold, thus simplifying the requisite machinery.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A valve stem comprising a` rubber body having a stem portion and an integral rubber flange at its base; a rigid insertextending into said body from the tip of the rubber stem almost to the base of said flange, said insert and body having portions4 forming aligned bores producing stem, the bore of said interiorly lying rubberl being constricted at the inner end of said widened portion to provide an inwardly facing rubber valve seat formed by the inner end of said constriction and adapted to cooperate with a valve core having a closure adapted to cooperate with an integral valve seat, said valve seat being reenforced by extension of the embedded portion of the insert above and below said valve seat; and a series of apertures in said insert near its base through which the rubber of the body portion extends to provide an interlock with said body, the interior surfaces of said insert which contact the interior of the lying rubber being substantially smooth and the outward radial pressure of compressed air in the bore of the -stem being adapted to form a seal preventing the escape of air between said contacting surfaces.

2. In a valve stem of the type described, a rigid tubular metal insert comprising a tip member having means in its bore for receiving and retaining therein a valve core and inwardly of said means, an annular shoulder facing the base of the stem; said tip member terminating in a. cylindrical tubular portion extending inwardly beyond said shoulder, with an annular groove in its exterior surface; and a skirt member comprising a metal tube fitting telescopically over said cylindrical portion, secured thereto by a portion of the end of said skirt extending into said groove, and cooperating with the walls thereof, said skirt extending inward beyond the inner end of said tip member;- said skirt member having apertures near its lower end and a substantially smooth surface, the distance from said annular shoulder to the inner end of said skirt constituting the major portion of the length of the insert.

3. In a valve stem of the type described, a

rigid tubular metal insert comprising a tip member having means in its bore for receiving and retaining therein a valve core, said tip member having an exterior groove therearound and a smooth cylindrical surface at its inner end; and a metal skirt having at its outer end a substantially smooth cylindrical surface telescopically engaging the cylindrical surface of the tip member and having a portion extending into said groove to cooperate with the walls thereof to secure the skirt to the tip, the skirt extending beyond the inner end of said tip member to form the major portion of the length of the insert.

4. In a valve stem of the type described, a rigid tubular metal insert comprising a tip member having means in its bore Afor receiving and` retaining therein a valve core and a V-shaped exterior groove therearound and a metal skirt having a substantially smooth surface engaging said tip and having the end thereof extending into vthe V groove to secure the tip and skirt together, said skirt extending inwardly beyond the inner end of said tip member and having a greater diameter at its lower end than adjacent said tip member.

5. A valve stem including a rigid tubular metal insert comprising a tip member having means in its bore for receiving and retaining therein a valve core, said tip member having an exterior groove therearound, and a smooth cylindrical surface at its inner end; a metal skirt having at its outer end a substantially smooth cylindrical surface telescopically engaging the cylindrical surface of .the tip member and having a portion extending into said groove to cooperate with the walls thereof to secure the skirt to the tip, the skirt extending beyond the inner end of said tip member to form the major portion of the length of the insert; and a body of rubber surrounding the skirt and a part of the tip and extending beyond and covering the groove and portion of the skirt therein.

OAKLEY W. HOSKING. 

